Thermal break window construction



Jan. 6, 1970 w. H. HO LL l-DAY 3,487,580

THERMAL BREAK WINDOW CONSTRUCTION WILLIAM H. HOLLJDAY BY%I 6 m ATTORNEY FIG.|

Jan. 6,1970

Filed March 15, 1968 w. H. HOLLIDAIY' 3,487,580

THERMAL BREAK WINDOW CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 lOZ INVENTOR WILLIAM H. HOLLIDAY ATTORNEY W. H. HOLLIDAY THERMAL BREAK WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Jan. 6,1970

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Filed March 15, 1968 ATTORNEY WILLIAM H. HOLLIDAY MZMUIQQ/ vim/3a on mmvm United States Patent O 3,487,580 THERMAL BREAK WINDOW CONSTRUCTION William H. Holliday, Bon Air, Va., assignor to Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 15, 1968, Ser. No. 713,341 Int. Cl. Ed /08; E06b 5/10 US. Cl. 49-372 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A sliding window construction wherein a pair of fixed window sashes telescopically receives a roller mounted window sash. Two groups of frame members form a composite frame construction in which heat insulation means is mounted in load bearing position in a common plane between the two groups of frame members. Provision is made for removal of the inside fixed window sash and the roller sash for purposes of cleaning the windows.

This invention relates to a thermal break window construction and more particularly to such a construction applied to sliding glass windows, either vertical or horizontal, which use metal frame members.

Thermal break sliding glass windows have been designed in the past in various ways in an attempt to minimize condensation on the inside of the window construction. Some attempts have become quite complicated in the manner in which heat insulation materials are inserted in various and sundry places in order to break the through conductivity of aluminum extrusions from which the metal framing members are customarily made. Other attempts have simply compromised and settled for only a partial thermal break construction in an effort to cut down on manufacturing and assembly costs. Particular difficulty has been experienced at the meeting rail for sliding glass windows and it is frequently at this juncture that a compromise is effected in deviating from an all thermal break installation.

For example, one type of modified thermal break sliding glass window construction uses insulated glass. In this type of window, two window sashes are employed. One of the sashes can be fixed and the other one slides as a unit or both sashes may be operable. The meeting rail poses a major Obstacle to attaining an all thermal break window construction and, frequently, a through metal conductivity is not prevented at the meeting rail so that inside condensation occurs. On the double-double window types, i.e. a prime window with a storm type window attached to it by a heat insulating material, no meeting rail problem exists but eight pane surfaces must be cleaned.

According to the present invention the foregoing disadvantages and shortcomings are effectively overcome wherein a complete thermal break window construction is provided which can be manufactured and assembled on an economical basis. A striking feature of the present invention is the use of a pair of thermally insulated panes in a movable sash which telescopes within a pair of fixed sashes. The moving pair of thermally insulated pane move as a self-contained unit completely sealed by the heat insulating material, thereby presenting only two pane surfaces which need to be cleaned. With the addition of four pane surfaces on the two fixed sashes there are only six pane surfaces in all which need to be cleaned. The inside fixed sash is preferably made easily removable for purposes of cleaning. The sliding sash is also easily removable whereby the entire cleaning operation is effected with the removal of two sashes. The remaining pane is then easily cleaned from the inside of the building.

Patented Jan. 6, 1970 ice Not only does the telescoping window construction lend itself to an easy cleaning operation but also greatly facilitates the manufacturing and assembly operations wherein the heat insulating material is applied in a common plane between outer and inner groups of frame members.

The inherent advantages and improvements of the present invention will become more readily apparent upon considering the following detailed description of the invention and by reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view illustrating the window construction of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view in vertical cross section taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view in vertical cross section taken along line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view in horizontal cross section taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a representative heat insulation means used in the present invention.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter illustrated and described as being especially adapted for use in connection with sliding glass thermal break windows, it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in combination thereof for thermal break window construction generally.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited merely to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings because the drawings are utilized merely to illustrate one of a wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated a sliding glass window construction indicated generally at 10 wherein an external screen is illustrated at 12. Behind screen 12 as seen in FIG. 2 are positioned glass panes which are movable in telescoping relationship with respect to fixed single glass panes 18 and 20 (see FIG. 3).

The Window construction is received in a frame 22 as illustrated in FIG. 2 and is sealed by caulking 24.

The window construction is provided with a first group of frame members which provide an exterior frame and an interior group of frame members which are interconnected by means of heat insulation means to the exterior frame members. Thus there is provided an outer frame which comprises an outer sill member indicated generally at 28, outer jamb members indicated at and 32, an outer head member indicated at 34, and an outer meeting rail member 36. The inner frame comprises an inner sill member indicated generally at 38, an inner jamb member indicated generally at (FIG. 4), an inner head member 44 (FIGS. 2 and 3), and an inner meeting rail 46 (FIG. 4).

A heat insulation means is illustrated at 50 in a load bearing position between the outer and inner frame members of the head, sill and jamb members noted above.

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of the heat insulating means 50 which is provided with a double backing of adhesive 51. The heat insulation means 50 is preferably a foamedtape such as polyurethane or vinyl foam. A preferred material is presently sold under the trademark Scotch Mount by the 3M Company. The heat insulation means 50 is provided in roll form with paper backing and sticks immediately. However, 8 hours curing time at degrees to degrees F. is desirable for curing purposes. Curing becomes better with time.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the outer sill member 28 is shown to be provided with an outer upstanding leg 52 terminating in a ledge 54. A groove 56, as best seen in FIG. 2, is provided for the window glazing. Outer sill 28 is further provided with an intermediate leg 58 which together with ledge 54 provides a support for the frame 59 of the screen 12 (FIG. 2) or as a back-up for a single fixed glass sash 18 in FIG. 3 wherein a vinyl glazing strip 61 cooperates therewith. FIG. 2 shows the manner in which a sealing surface extending from the intermediate leg 58 provides contact with conventional wool piling.

The outer sill 28 is provided with weep holes 62 in order to permit condensate forming on the inside of outer sill 28 to pass therethrough in conventional manner. Outer sill 28 is also provided with screw grooves at 64 and 66 to facilitate attachment of the outer sill 28 to the jamb members. Outer sill 28 is further provided with a downwardly extending fin 68 for attachment to the outer sill member by means of nails 70 to the frame 22. An upstanding rear leg 74 and a longitudinally extending head 76 provide an alignment guide and an attaching surface for the heat insulating means 50'.

The inner sill member 38 is provided with a forwardly extending leg 78 which terminates in a longitudinal track 80 on which rides a roller 82 retained in roller housing 84. A small piece of foam tape 85, secures the roller housing 84 to lower sash member 132. Inner sill member 38 is further provided with a downwardly extending leg 86 and inwardly extending flange or bead 88 to cooperate with leg 74 and bead 76 of the outer sill member 28 in aligning and providing surface contact for the heat insulation means as is clearly shown in FIGS, 2 and 3. Inner sill member 38 is further provided with a rearwardly extending leg 90 from which extend downwardly extending leg 92 and upwardly extending leg 93. Screw grooves are provided at 94 and 96 for attachment of the inner sill member 38 to the meeting rail and jamb members. An upwardly extending leg 98 forms a channel with rearwardly extending leg 90 and upwardly extending leg 93 to receive an extrusion having an upwardly extending flange 97 for engagement with fixed window sash 20 in cooperation with an extruded vinyl glazing strip 61. The window sash assembly of 20, 95, 95A, 61, 99, 46 and 246 may be removed by lifting it upward, then by pulling it outward at the bottom until it clears upward extending leg 93, then lowering it until it clears downwardly extending leg 128. This will then allow removal of the rolling assembly 132 by the same method and allow cleaning of fixed pane 18. Extrusion 95 carries a hollow gasket member 99 to provide a seal with upwardly extending leg 98.

Outer head member 34 is shown to have a downwardly extending leg 100 terminating in a horizontally extending surface 102. A groove 104 in horizontally extending surface 102 permits the insertion of an extruded vinyl glazing strip 61 for retention of fixed window sash 18. Back-up flangs 108 in the outer head member 34 facilitates the retention of window pane 18. Outer head member 34 is also provided with a screw groove 110 for attachment of the outer head member to the jamb members. The outer head member 34 is also provided with a sloping top surface 112 which carries a screw groove 114 and terminates in an upwardly extending fin 116. A longitudinally extending bead on the inside of upwardly extending fin 116 cooperates with fin 116 in aligning the heat insulation member 50 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The inner head member 44 is provided with a rearwardly extending leg 120 which continues with a declining surface 122 which carries a screw groove 124 and depending downwardly extending legs 126 and 128. An extrusion 95a similar to that shown at 95 in FIG. 3 is received between the downwardly extending legs 126 and 128 and also has a back-up flange 97a which cooperates with the vinyl glazing strip 61 in order to retain the upper surface of window pane 20. The hollow gasket 99 engages the inside of the downwardly extending leg 126. The inner head member 44 also has an upwardly extending leg 130 which is adhesively secured to the heat insulation means 50. The leg 130 terminates in an inwardly extending longitudinal bead 131 which cooperates with comparable bead 118 on leg 116 aligning the heat insulation 50.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown four identically shaped extrusions 132, each of which has pane engaging flanges 134 extending from a substantially rectangular base 136 and which provides the framework for the movable panes 14 and 16. A wool pile holder 138 carries wool piling 140 to provide for sliding contact with the fixed members by the movable panes which move together as a unit. The screw grooves 142 in the respective bases 136 permit the frame members for the panes 14 and 16 to be joined, as by means of screws 143, into an integral unit.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a horizontal cross section of the window construction taken along line 44 of FIG. 1. Thus, there is shown a T-shaped trim flange for the inner meeting rail member 46. Outer inwardly extending legs 152 and 154 from a central portion 156 provide a vertical channel construction within which is received the frame 59 for screen 12. A groove 158 on the fixed sash side of the meeting rail permits the insertion of an extruded vinyl glazing member 61. Screw grooves at 160 and 162 on the fixed sash side of meeting rail 36 permit the meeting rail 36 to be attached to the head members and sill members in conventional fashion. A leaf spring is indicated at 164 for the frame 59 of the screen 12. The use of screen 12 is optional in this construction.

A vertically extending tapering stop member 166 extends from a leg 168 to receive a leg of a generally J-shaped frame member 170 which forms a part of the unitary construction for the movable panes 14 and 16. A sash retaining flange 169 which is integral with the meeting rail members 36 and 46 provide a rear support for the fixed panes 18 and 20 by cooperating with the extruded vinyl glazing member 61.

The outer jamb 30, FIG. 4, is provided with an inwardly extending leg 172, an outwardly extending leg .173, and a rearwardly extending leg 174. A C-shaped pile holder 176 receives wool piling 180 to provide a seal for the movable panes when they are in closed position. A hollow gasket holder 182 receives an end seal hollow gasket 184, and a downwardly extending fin 186 carries a pair of beads 188 above and below heat insulation means 50.

The inner jamb member 40, also in FIG. 4, is shown to have an outwardly extending leg 190, and a forwardly extending leg 192. The latter carries a hollow gasket holder 194 to receive end sealing hollow gasket 195. An outwardly extending inner leg 1% terminates in a forwardly extending longitudinal bead 198 which cooperates with beads 188 on the opposite fin or outwardly extending leg 186 to retain the heat insulation means 50.

The inner jamb member 40 is further shown to have a vertically extending leg 200 terminating in latch member 202. A hand actuated locking member indicated generally at 204 pivots at 206 in a fixed portion of locking member 207 and is provided with a latch engaging portion 208 and a handle 210. By squeezing handle 210 toward the stationary member 207 a leaf spring 212 is compressed permitting the handle to pivot about 206, thereby releasing latch engaging portion 208 from latch member 202 and permitting the movable panes 14, 16 to move as a unit in telescoping relationship with respect to the fixed panes 18 and 20.

A pair of identical frame members 220 are provided with pane engaging legs 222 for panes 14 and .16. Within the panes 14 and 16 and forming an inner frame therefor is an air sealing, structural heat insulation member 50a. This heat insulation member overlaps the heat insulation member at 5017. A further heat insulation member is shown at 50c between portions 224 of frame members 220. The latter are also provided with downwardly extending surfaces 226 which are engaged by wool piles 180 and with hollow gasket engaging members 228 which engage the hollow gaskets 184 and 195.

A second outer jamb member 32 in FIG. 4 is provided with an outwardly extending leg 230, a laterally inwardly extending leg 232 which receives an extruded vinyl glazing strip 61 and is provided with a pane engaging flange 234. Outer jamb member 32 is further provided with a rearwardly extending leg 236 the end of which is positioned in an outwardly extending inner leg 238 which carries a vertically extending longitudinal bead 240 aligning the heat insulation means 50.

The inner jamb member 42 is provided with an outwardly extending leg 242 and an inwardly extending leg 244. An extrusion 246 for the vertical edge of fixed pane is received between leg 244, forwardly extending leg 248, and inwardly extending leg 250 of the inner jamb member 42. The extrusion 246 carries a hollow gasket 252 which engages the inwardly extending leg 250. Extrusion 246 is further provided with a pane-engaging flange 254 which cooperates with an extruded vinyl glazing 61 in order to hold fixed pane 20 in place. Extrusion 246 is further provided with a screw groove 256 by means of which the extrusion 246 may be secured to the inner sill member 38. Inner jamb member 42 is further provided with an outwardly extending leg 258 which terminates in a vertically extending longitudinal groove 260 for purposes of aligning the heat insulation means 50.

In order to get the removable panes 14 and 16 to telescope within fixed panes 18 and 20 the handle 210 of the hand locking assembly 204 is squeezed toward fixed portion 207 thereby compressing lead spring 212 and releasing lock-engaging portion 208 from looking member 202, thereby permitting the movable panes 14 and 16 to be telescoped within fixed panes 18 and 20.

While the window construction shows a roller 82 rolling on longitudinal track 80, any suitable alternate horizontal traverse means may be used including magnetic repulsion. The inwardly extending leg 250 on extrusion 246 serves as a stop for engagement with C-shaped frame member 170, thereby limiting the extent to which the movable panes 14 and 16 may be opened.

The heat insulation means 50 which is adhesively secured to the aluminum extrusion members is shown in FIG. 4, for example, as extending in a vertical plane between outer jamb member 32 and inner jamb member 42, at 50b between the outer and inner sill members 28 and 38, respectively, at 500 between the C-shaped frame members 170, at 50a between the movable panes 14 and 16, at 500 between the members 224 of frame members 220, and terminating at 50 between the outer jamb member 30 and inner jamb member 40. Thus it can be seen that the heat insulation means lies in a common vertical plane between inner and outer sets of frame members. The foamed plastic material used for the heat insulation means 50, 50b, and 500 is adhesively secured to the outer and inner frame constructions. The fixative used at 50a is also an insulator but of a different type than that shown in FIG. 5 and provided by the sash manufacturer.

As has been noted, it is preferred to make one of the fixed panes such as pane 20 removable whereby only six pane surfaces need to be cleaned, namely, the inner and outer surfaces of panes 18 and 20, and the outer surfaces only of movable panes 14 and 16.

While presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be recognized that the invention may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced.

What is claimed is:

1. A thermal break window construction comprising:

(a) a window frame construction formed from a plurality of members,

(b) a first window sash having a single pane therein received within said framing members,

(c) a second window sash having a single pane therein received within said framing members,

( 1) said first and second window sashes being spaced laterally to define a dead air space therebetween,

(d) a third window sash having outer and inner window panes with thermal insulation therebetween,

(1) said third window sash being movably mounted so as to permit telescoping said third window sash between said first and second window sashes,

(e) whereby air from outside said thermally insulated third window sash must travel into and out of said dead air space between said first and second window sashes in order to get from exteriorly of said outer pane to a position interiorly of said inner pane of said third window sash when said third window sash is closed.

2. A thermal break window construction as defined in claim 1 wherein said window frame construction comprises a first group of members comprising an outer frame and a second group of members comprising an inner frame.

3. A thermal break window construction as defined in claim 2 including heat insulation means between said outer frame and said inner frame.

4. A thermal break window construction as defined in claim 3 wherein said heat insulation means lies in a common vertical plane.

5.. A thermal break window construction as defined in claim 3 wherein said heat insulation means is a foamed plastic material.

6. A thermal break window construction as defined in claim 5 wherein said foamed plastic heat insulation means is adhesively secured to corresponding portions of said outer and inner frame members.

7. A thermal break window construction as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second sashes are fixed and one of them along with said third window sash is removable for purposes of cleaning said windows.

8. A thermal break window construction as defined in claim 1 wherein said third window sash is roller mounted to permit telescoping said third window sash within said first and second window sashes.

9. A thermal break window construction as defined in claim 2 wherein said first and second group of frame members are formed from aluminum extrusions.

10. A thermal break window construction comprising:

(a) a window frame construction having a first group of members constituting an outer frame and including an outer sill member,

(b) said window frame construction further having a second group of members constituting an inner frame and including an inner sill member,

(c) heat insulation means placed in load sup orting position between said outer frame and said inner frame and between said outer sill member and said inner sill member,

(d) a first fixed sash having a single pane therein receivedin said outer frame,

(e) a second fixed sash having a single pane therein received in said inner frame,

(f) and a movable third sash having outer and inner thermally insulated panes therein mounted for telescoping movement between said first and second fixed sashes,

(g) said first and second fixed sashes defining a dead air space therebetween whereby air from outside said thermally insulated third window sash must travel into and out of said dead air space between said first and second window sashes in order to get from exteriorly of said outer pane to a position internally of said inner plane of said third window sash when said third window sash is closed.

11. A thermal break window construction as defined in claim 10 wherein said heating insulation means lies in a common vertical plane.

12. A thermal break Window construction as defined in claim 10 wherein one of said fixed sashes is removable for purposes of cleaning said windows.

13. A thermal break window construction as defined in claim 10 including a track construction carried by one of said sill members, and wherein said movable third sash is mounted on rollers engageable with said track whereby said movable third sash may be telescopically received within said first and second fixed sashes.

14. A thermal break window construction defined in claim 10 wherein said heat insulation means is a foamed plastic material.

15. A thermal break window construction as defined in claim 14 wherein said foamed plastic heat insulation means is adhesively secured to corresponding portions of said outer and inner frame members.

16. A thermal break window construction as defined in claim 10 wherein said outer sill member and said inner sill member are provided with cooperating means for aligning said heat insulation means.

17. A thermal break window construction as defined in claim 13 wherein one of said fixed sashes along with said movable third sash is removable for purposes of cleaning said windows.

18. A thermal break window construction as defined in claim 13 wherein said heat insulation means is a foamed plastic material.

19. A thermal break window construction as defined in claim 18 wherein said foamed plastic heat insulation means is adhesively secured to corresponding portions of said outer and inner frame members.

20. A thermal break window construction as defined in claim 13 wherein said outer sill member and said inner sill member are provided with cooperating means for aligning said heat insulation means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,402,105 6/1946 Verhagen.

2,870,882 1/1959 Tolman 16090 X 3,055,468 9/1962 Horejs et al.

3,403,490 10/1968 Luedtke 52403 X KENNETH DOWNEY, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

